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Wearable devices are getting more advanced, stylish, and sophisticated by the minute, and smart rings are no exception. These innovative and nifty wearables merge functionality, form, and fashion, serving as handy designs that elevate your daily life without hampering your taste and style. Smart Rings help with a whole bunch of activities ranging from health monitoring and fitness tracking to even interacting or controlling your music! We’ve curated the top five smart rings for you, highlighting their excellent functionalities and their ability to meet your needs. These must-have accessories are recommended for anyone who wants to upgrade their wearable tech.

1. Oura Ring Gen3

Meet the Oura Ring Gen3 – a Strava-integrated fitness ring. The smart wearable is designed to track your health accurately and precisely. It utilizes advanced sensors to measure heart rate, step count, calories burned, and blood oxygen level. Unlike typical wrist-worn trackers, it delivers precise readings since it can measure signals from your fingers, offering accurate and detailed data. It also lends a hand in tracking your body temperature, detecting stress and any illness, and educating you on how stress can impact your body.

2. Aina

Meet Aina – a smart wearable ring that sits comfortably on your finger, and does everything your smartphone can. It can book cabs, unlock doors, make payments, track your fitness and health, and let you talk on your phone, without having to use it. You simply need to hold your finger to your ear, and the ring will project the sound directly into your ear. The smart ring feels right out of a James Bond movie! It is designed to mirror or replicate the smartphone experience, while sitting soundly on your finger.

3. Circular Wellness Ring

The Circular wellness ring provides the standard lineup of activity tracking and health monitoring, but it also gives you a little more. It is integrated with a smart alarm, which wakes you up easily and effectively at the best time, based on your sleep cycle. The ring can also analyze your bio-signals to keep an eye on your sleep quality, providing you with tips and recommendations on how to improve it. You don’t need to take off the ring at night, which ensures that tracking continues uninterrupted, and your data is consistently stored and analyzed.

4. Melo Ring

Dubbed the Melo Ring, this little ring sits on your finger and lets you interact with music using touch or swipe gestures through the sensors placed all over the ring. You can share songs with other Melo Ring users with a simple flick of a finger. You can use the ring to add songs to a playlist, read out song names, or change the playlist when you feel like it. It serves as a wearable accessory that you can wear every day, offering you easier control over your music.

5. Dhyana Smart Meditation Ring

Called the Dhyana Smart Meditation Ring, this wearable strengthens your mind and helps you improve your sleep cycle and everyday focus. It provides real-time feedback so you can meditate easily and make the most out of your experience. It utilizes heart rate variability, making it the ideal ring for beginners looking to focus better while meditating. It uses visual cues and immediate feedback to help you track and rate your calmness. It also provides access to millions of wellness tracks, or you can pick songs from Spotify, YouTube, and more.

The post Top 5 Innovative Smart Rings To Meet Your Modern Lifestyle Needs first appeared on Yanko Design.

As the weather gets colder in the northern hemisphere, this lookbook compiles ten living spaces where log burners and fireplaces take the chill out of the air and provide a cosy centrepiece.

Despite increasingly sophisticated household heating technology, traditional fireplaces remain a popular way to warm homes.

From freestanding stoves to built-in wood burners that incorporate storage for logs, the following selection shows how architects and designers make a feature of fireplaces.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring versatile daybeds, distinctive shower curtains and metallic kitchens.

Queen’s Park House, UK, by Daytrip

A glass enclosure crowned by a chimney flue, camouflaged to disappear into the surrounding walls, features in this fireplace in a west London house by local studio Daytrip.

It is supported by a thick shelf that appears to float and provides storage for logs. Tucked away in the corner of the room, the fireplace provides a cosy and intimate area for relaxation.

Find out more about Queen’s Park House ›

Dzen house, Ukraine, by Shovk

Ukrainian architecture studio Shovk created a wood-fired stove with soft, curved corners for the living room of this house on the outskirts of Kyiv.

Made from dark grey metal, the fireplace matches the metallic furnishings found in the space, while contrasting with the wooden beams and window frames.

Find out more about Dzen house ›

The Yellow House in the Apple Garden, Norway, by Familien Kvistad

Clad in glossy, sunny yellow tiles, this monolithic fireplace sits in the middle of the interior of a Norwegian 1950s-era house renovated by Familien Kvistad.

The purpose-built burner featured cutouts for vents, a glass enclosure for the fire and integrated log storage, and its vibrant exterior adds to the energetic colours found throughout the interior.

Find out more about The Yellow House in the Apple Garden ›

Weekend House, Czech Republic, by New How

The log burner in this Czech house is nestled between two wooden posts that form part of the building’s cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure.

The ground floor is arranged around the centrally placed fireplace, which enhances the cosy atmosphere fostered by the wooden walls and furniture.

Find out more about Weekend House ›

Bully Hill House, USA, by Studio MM Architect

The living area of this home in rural New York centres around a hefty Corten steel panel, which is home to a log burner and firewood storage.

Echoing the exterior cladding of the building, the steel has a warm rusty-brown patina that creates a rustic aesthetic.

Find out more about Bully Hill House ›

Wasatch House, USA, by Olson Kundig

American architecture firm Olson Kundig concealed a fireplace behind a pair of metal screen doors in this Utah house.

Doors are placed on both sides of the metal-clad chimney breast, allowing both the living area and the study to benefit from the fire’s warmth.

Find out more about Wasatch House ›

Smith Residence, Canada, by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple

Symmetrical openings in a colossal stone hearth house an open fireplace and log store, which serve to warm the living room of this coastal Nova Scotian home.

It is made from chunks of granite sourced from a quarry close to the site, and its warming appearance is united with a dining table made from locally felled trees.

Find out more about Smith Residence ›

House and the River, Lithuania, by After Party

Adding to the playful nature of this interior, created by Vilnius-based studio After Party, this log burner is perched atop a small stone boulder in place of a conventional base.

It sits within its own purpose-designed, gold-lined niche, which stands out against the white expanse of the rest of the wall.

Find out more about House and the River ›

Park Lane, Australia, by PW Architecture Office

A raised platform covered in square terracotta-coloured tiles creates a base for this log burner that sits between this home’s dining and living zones.

The stove features glass on both sides to allow the flames to be seen and heat to be experienced when lounging and dining.

Find out more about Park Lane ›

Casa Alférez, Mexico, by Ludwig Godefroy

A stove with a dramatic double-height flue warms the lofty concrete-built living room of this Mexican house by local architect Ludwig Godefroy.

Flanked by stacks of firewood, the fireplace warms a sunken conversation pit populated with dark green bolster cushions.

Find out more about Casa Alférez ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring versatile daybeds, distinctive shower curtains and metallic kitchens.

The post Ten living rooms with warming fireplaces to keep the cold out appeared first on Dezeen.

The Ventete aH-1 Cycle Helmet, awarded the prestigious Luminary Winner title at this year’s Red Dot Award: Design Concept, is an innovative take on personal safety for urban cyclists. At a time when cities are embracing cycling as a sustainable and efficient mode of transport, the aH-1 helmet emerges as a design-forward solution, combining portability, comfort, and protection in a way that challenges traditional helmet conventions.

What sets the aH-1 apart is its pneumatic design—a notable departure from the foam helmets that have dominated the market for over five decades. Instead of bulky, rigid foam, Ventete utilizes an inflatable air chamber system that collapses to a thickness of just 3.5 cm when deflated. This compact form allows the helmet to fit easily into a bag or even a large pocket, addressing a key pain point for cyclists who often struggle with where to store their helmets off the bike. When it’s time to ride, a small USB-C pump inflates the helmet in under 30 seconds, providing a quick and convenient transition from portability to protection.

Designer: Ventete Limited

Click here to view more Award-winning designs from the Red Dot Award: Design Concept

Beyond the obvious convenience, this inflatable structure offers functional advantages. Ventete has engineered the aH-1 with a chambered design that significantly improves airflow around the rider’s head. Traditional foam helmets trap heat, often making them uncomfortable during longer rides or in warm weather. By contrast, the air-filled design of the aH-1 promotes natural ventilation, keeping the rider’s head cool. Testing conducted by the Swiss Federal Lab for Material Science (EMPA) confirmed that the helmet’s cooling performance matches that of riding bareheaded, a remarkable feat for a safety device.

While inflatable, the helmet is far from fragile or ineffective. It is fully certified to CE/UKCA standards (EN1078), meaning it meets stringent European and UK safety requirements. Extensive research at Imperial College London’s HeadLab revealed that the aH-1 offers superior protection, particularly against rotational impacts—a leading cause of brain injuries in cycling accidents. With over 15 global patents protecting its design, the aH-1 is a product of nearly a decade of research and development, marrying innovation with practical safety.

The design process, led by Ventete’s team of architects and engineers, was guided by a philosophy that integrates functionality with minimalism. The helmet’s understated aesthetic reflects a growing trend in urban mobility design, where products are expected to seamlessly fit into the user’s lifestyle. Its compact and foldable nature speaks to a more flexible, spontaneous approach to transportation. Produced in Switzerland, the aH-1 also embodies the precision and craftsmanship for which the country is known, ensuring that the helmet is as durable as it is stylish.

The aH-1’s innovative design aligns with the broader cultural shift towards sustainability and urban mobility. As more cities promote cycling as a key component of their transport infrastructure, there is an increasing demand for gear that is not only safe and functional but also adaptable to the fast-paced, space-conscious lives of urban dwellers. By addressing the limitations of traditional helmets, the aH-1 positions itself as a forward-thinking solution for the modern cyclist.

Click here to view more Award-winning designs from the Red Dot Award: Design Concept

The post Life-Saving Pneumatic Inflatable Helmet declared the 2024 Red Dot Award: Design Concept Luminary Winner first appeared on Yanko Design.



There’s something uniquely satisfying about a tool that manages to condense an entire toolbox into a single, beautifully crafted object. The PryMax 2.0 from EDC MONSTER does exactly that, and yet, it’s more than just a multi-function gadget—it’s a design refined through time, blending technical innovation with understated elegance. The PryMax 2.0 comes from the folks at EDC MONSTER, who saw a great deal of success with the first-generation PryBar from 2023. Over the past year, the team’s worked towards refining the design, building not just on their own personal experience with the device but also on consumer feedback from the nearly 900 people who bought the EDC multitool. Retaining the Grade 5 titanium construction, this redesigned tool combines toughness with a refined sense of minimalism, measuring just 13.7 cm (5.4 inches) and weighing 95 grams (3.3 ounces). It’s not trying to impress with bulk; instead, it’s a masterclass in efficiency and restraint, ready to handle everything from everyday tasks to unexpected challenges.

Designer: EDC MONSTER

Click Here to Buy Now: $159 $239 ($80 off) Hurry, only 67 of 100 pieces left!

Within its compact frame (which is a hallmark of its design) lie 10 features, ranging from general to specific tools. The prybar gets first mention (thanks to the tool’s name), following the CNC-machined wrench that also doubles as a bottle-opener and a caliper. The caliper’s measurements are courtesy a set of etched markings on the side, which can also be used to measure items normally like a regular scale. Other features include a ratchet screwdriver, regular bit driver, everlasting pen, emergency glass breaker, and other non-essential EDC details like a pocket clip and tritium-slots.

Tucked into this sleek titanium body is an adjustable wrench that takes versatility to another level. Need to tighten a loose bolt on your bike or a leaky faucet? The PryMax 2.0’s wrench is ready to adapt. It handles a wide range of nut sizes with a smooth adjustment mechanism that feels far more robust than you’d expect from something this compact. And when precision is key, the integrated caliper comes into play, offering quick, on-the-go measurements. No need to lug around bulky measuring tools—this one stays quietly at your side, ready when you are. These features don’t scream for attention; they simply work, making your day just that bit easier.

The dual-direction ratchet screwdriver integrated into the PryMax 2.0 is designed for serious work. Unlike the typical multi-tool, where screwdrivers are often an afterthought, this one delivers precision and ease. The magnetic bit driver, which comes pre-installed with two S2 alloy steel bits, allows for quick changes and ensures a smooth, frustration-free experience—no more fumbling with tiny parts. For tighter spaces, the fixed-position bit holder steps in, offering a controlled grip when the situation calls for more delicate maneuvering. It’s not just a screwdriver; it’s the tool you didn’t know you needed.

At the tip of the PryMax 2.0 lies its most prominent feature (and where it gets its name from too), the prybar. The wedge-shaped prying tool, combined with the EDC’s titanium construction, is perfect for prying out nails, shimmying open lids, and even cutting through boxes. The blunt edge tucks perfectly into crevasses, and the titanium body takes on pretty much any sort of stress, allowing you to wedge open even the tightest of lids or the rustiest of screws. The box-opener feature is neat too, because it’s just sharp enough to cut tape without posing a safety threat to humans.

With practical, the PryMax 2.0 packs tactical features too – in the form of a strategically placed glass-breaker that can shatter even reinforced/laminated glass with a single strike. Compact but powerful, this feature is designed to break through glass with minimal effort, potentially saving your life in an emergency if you’re trapped in a vehicle or in another critical situation. These are the kinds of details that don’t just make the PryMax 2.0 a tool for tinkering—they make it a tool for everyday survival.

While functionality is clearly at the core of this tool, there’s a certain pleasure in the quieter, more thoughtful additions. The everlasting pen, for instance, tucks neatly along the side, always there when you need to jot something down. It’s not just any pen, either—it writes on nearly any surface, wet or dry, and never runs out of ink. Designed using a special alloy that mimics the effect of pencil on paper, this everlasting pen can write for years without needing sharpening or generating waste – that offsets the 8 million trees cut each year to make pencils. Pair that with the ruler etched discreetly into the side of the tool, and you’ve got everything you need for small-scale precision work, whether it’s marking wood for a DIY project or quickly measuring something on the go. It’s these subtle touches that make the PryMax 2.0 not just a practical tool, but a pleasure to use.

The PryMax 2.0 measures 13.7cm (5.4 inches) and weighs just 95 grams (3.3 ounces)

A true everyday carry wouldn’t be complete without a few features that make it worth carrying everywhere you go. The PryMax 2.0’s bottle opening feature fits that bill perfectly, because you never know when you’ll need to crack open a brewski. The bottle opener’s cleverly (and rather discreetly) built right into the wrench, giving you a 3-in-one feature that opens bottles, tightens bolts, and even measures objects! The integrated phone stand is a nice touch too, allowing you to instantly dock/mount your phone in either landscape or portrait and watch a video while sipping on said brewski. Even the finer details of this tool are tailored for those who value both function and form. Five tritium slots line the tool, allowing for personal customization with glowing inserts. Whether for practical low-light visibility or just a touch of aesthetic flair, these tritium tubes offer a level of personalization that’s rare in such a compact device. It’s the kind of thoughtful design element that resonates with those who appreciate a tool that’s both personal and functional—more than just an accessory, it’s an extension of its owner’s style.

The PryMax 2.0 comes in a single color – after all what’s classier than bare, machined titanium?! It starts at $159, which is a steal considering the 10-in-1 nature of the multitool, and the fact that it’s literally designed to outlast you. The deep pocket clip and lanyard hole make the EDC perfect to carry around with you everywhere you go, and the lack of a blade or sharp edge immediately makes the PryMax 2.0 TSA-approved for carrying on flights too. The PryMax 2.0 ships globally for free starting January 2025.

Click Here to Buy Now: $159 $239 ($80 off) Hurry, only 67 of 100 pieces left!

The post Titanium 10-in-1 EDC Tool PryMax 2.0 Packs a Ratchet Screwdriver, Wrench, and Survival Gear first appeared on Yanko Design.

Motorola is pushing the boundaries of foldable smartphones with a new patent that introduces a hinge mechanism capable of autonomous adjustment, adapting seamlessly to user movements. This novel approach aims to make foldable devices more intuitive, elevating the user experience to new levels of comfort and convenience.

Designer: Motorola + Lenovo

The patent, titled “Autonomous Form Factor Control of a Foldable Mobile Device,” describes a hinge that can automatically adjust its position using a combination of shape memory alloys (SMA) and linear resonant actuators (LRA). The hinge dynamically shifts its angle to optimize viewing based on the user’s movements, offering a physical solution to an ergonomic problem. It’s similar in concept to Apple’s Center Stage, but instead of software adjusting the frame, this device physically adjusts itself to keep the user in view.

Breaking Down the Technology

The hinge utilizes Shape Memory Alloys (SMA), which are smart materials originally developed for aerospace applications. SMA can change shape when exposed to heat, which is generated here through electrical currents or kinetic energy. As the user moves, SMA expands or contracts to tilt the hinge, ensuring the display remains aligned with the user’s position. Imagine watching a video or participating in a call where the screen moves to stay in sync with you—Motorola aims to deliver this convenience.

Image: 91mobiles

Linear Resonant Actuators (LRA) work in tandem with SMA to provide precise linear movements. They function like a spring system to keep adjustments smooth and accurate. Together, these components allow for dynamic hinge movement, eliminating the need for awkward manual repositioning during use.

Motorola RAZR Plus

How It Works

Motorola’s patent images show the foldable phone using onboard sensors, including cameras, to track user movement. Depending on whether the user moves closer, farther away, or remains still, the hinge adjusts accordingly. The patent outlines different modes, like Tent Mode and Stand Mode, each designed to provide an optimal screen position for varying user activities.

In Figure 3, the hinge changes its elevation in response to the user’s head movement, keeping the display at an ideal angle. If the user leans forward, the hinge tilts upward; if they move back, it lowers. This feature improves ergonomics and reduces strain, creating a more comfortable viewing experience.

Image: 91mobiles

Unlike software-only solutions that rely on reframing the content, Motorola’s hinge brings a tangible, mechanical adaptation to user movement. This could also enhance shared viewing experiences, such as group video calls or presentations, making it easier for everyone to see the screen.

Lenovo’s Auto Twist AI PC Proof of Concept at IFA 2024

Motorola’s innovation isn’t happening in isolation—Lenovo showcased a similar concept at IFA 2024 with the Auto Twist AI PC Proof of Concept. Lenovo’s vision involves AI-controlled hardware that autonomously adjusts itself, bridging the gap between software-driven user personalization and physical hardware adaptability. The Auto Twist AI PC leverages AI to change the laptop’s configuration and position, adjusting to different modes, such as laptop, tablet, or tent mode, based on user activity. It can even close the lid when left unattended, providing convenience and security.

This concept from Lenovo shares parallels with Motorola’s patent for a dynamic folding hinge. Like Motorola’s hinge that autonomously adjusts based on user movement, Lenovo’s design integrates motorized hinges and AI to create a fluid transition between different laptop modes. The idea is to reduce the need for manual intervention and make the devices more user-friendly. While the Lenovo Yoga series has long offered flexibility through multiple modes, the Auto Twist AI PC takes this a step further by introducing autonomous adjustments. The ability to track user positioning and proactively respond by shifting configurations could significantly enhance the user experience—very much in the same vein as Motorola’s foldable phone.

Why This Matters

With CES 2025 around the corner, I expect Motorola and Lenovo to have proof of concepts for us to test. This autonomous hinge system is a significant step forward for foldable and convertible technology. While foldable devices are often seen as cutting-edge, they sometimes lack the functionality that justifies their complexity. By introducing automatic hinge adjustments, Motorola is making foldable phones more responsive and effortless to use. Whether multitasking, consuming content, or going hands-free, this design solves a usability problem that has limited the practicality of foldable devices.

Lenovo’s proof of concept shows how AI-driven automation could become a broader trend across different types of devices, including laptops. Both Lenovo and Motorola envision a future where devices anticipate user needs and make physical adjustments, moving away from passive tools requiring constant manual configuration to smart companions that enhance the user experience.

Comparison to Existing Solutions

Motorola’s innovation draws parallels with Apple’s Center Stage but pushes the idea further by integrating physical hardware movement. Instead of relying solely on software, this solution combines mechanical adjustment with tracking to create a more immersive, seamless user experience.

Patent images detail Tent Mode and Stand Mode, showcasing the benefits of automatic adjustment. In Tent Mode, the hinge adjusts to keep the screen centered for easy content sharing or watching videos hands-free. Stand Mode tilts the screen to align with the user’s eye level, enhancing comfort and reducing strain.

Why This is Notable

• Motorola’s foldable phone can autonomously adapt to users’ needs, making it innovative and practical.
• Integrating SMA and LRA provides a robust hinge design that reacts to user behavior, enhancing comfort and usability.
• Lenovo’s Auto Twist AI PC concept hints at a future where more devices incorporate AI-driven physical adjustments.
• This adaptability could become standard across laptops, tablets, and foldable phones, focusing on devices that adapt to human behavior.
• Motorola and Lenovo’s hinge technologies could redefine foldable devices, turning them into adaptive companions that offer everyday benefits.
• These advancements set new benchmarks for the foldable and convertible market, aiming to transition from concepts to consumer-ready products that transform the industry.

The post New Patent Shows Motorola’s Foldable Tracks and Bends to Your Will: A Smarter Hinge for the Future first appeared on Yanko Design.